What Lake Ozark is known for

The Jefferson City Region is famous for its many attractions as it lies in the center of the state of Missouri. The destination is home to the Missouri State Penitentiary, and Jefferson City is the Missouri State Capital.[1] The Ozarks and the Lake of the Ozarks are the most significant draw to the region and to the entire state of Missouri. The Ozarks are filled with lakes and an extensive mountain range. On the Lake of the Ozarks, visitors can go boating, play watersports, go fishing, and swim off the many beaches along the shores of the large blue lakes. The lakes are reservoirs created by a dam made in the Osage River at the base of the Ozark Mountain Range. The lake stretches over 54,000 acres and has almost 2,000 miles of shoreline. The lake has a serpent-like shape, which is nicknamed "Puff The Magic Dragon," and is also referred to as the "Missouri Dragon" by locals and frequent visitors.[2] 

The Ozarks are filled with underground caves, waterparks, multiple wineries, and a large golf course. Water parasailing and guided cave tours are offered as additional activities at the Lake of the Ozarks. There are multiple marinas, boat launches, yurts, and trails surrounding the lake where visitors can explore. The Ozarks are primarily known for their abundance of springs, waterfalls, lakes, caves, caverns, and karstic landforms.[2]

Jefferson City is known as the 'Missouri Rhineland" for the vineyards all around it, most of which were established in the 1800s by German immigrants. The Missouri State Museum is located in Jefferson City along with the Carnahan Memorial Garden. The museum is filled with historical artifacts, preserved papers, and other valuable historical memorabilia. The Carnahan Memorial Garden is located next to the Governor's Mansion. The mansion was constructed in 1930, and the garden came shortly after. After the death of Governor Carnahan, the garden was renamed as a memorial to honor him. The garden is filled with pools, walkways, and flowers.[4]

There are many trailheads and walking paths throughout the Jefferson City Region, including the Missouri River Pedestrian Bike Bridge and the Lewis Clark Monument and Trailhead. Both trails follow the Missouri River. The destination hosts around five and a half million visitors every year. The summer is peak season for out-of-state visitors during the months of June, July, and August. Most visitors come from St. Louis, Kansas City, Central and Southern Illinois, Des Moines, Iowa, and Omaha. They come to spend time on the Lake of the Ozarks, to explore the Ozark Mountains, and relax in the warm weather.[7]

The Jefferson City Region produces a large variety of products including, timber, livestock, fruit, lead, and zinc. The area also is prominent in the tourism industry and truck farming.[6]

Geography

The Jefferson City Region is located in central Missouri, on the Salem Plateau of the Ozarks. Jefferson City is located in the northwest corner of the region, and the Lake of the Ozarks State Park is located in the entire southern area of the region.[1] The rest of the land is littered with small cities, towns, and lots of commercial and private farmland. The Lake of the Ozarks is located near the Ozark Mountains and is a result of the Bagnell Dam.[5] The territory has various geographical features, including high rocky bluffs, well-watered prairie, rolling hills, and miles of fertile plains. The Missouri River flows through the region's northern area, and the Osage River flows through the southern area.[3]

The weather throughout the Jefferson City Region varies between the north and south areas. Near Jefferson City, the summers are very warm and wet, with an average temperature of seventy-nine degrees, and last from May to September. The winters are short and chilly, with an average temperature of fifty-one degrees, and last from November to February. The Jefferson City Region's northern area is partly cloudy year-round and gets an average of four and a half inches of rain a year and a half-inch of snow.[9] The southern area of the Jefferson City Region is where the Lake of the Ozarks and the Ozark Mountain Range are located. The summers in the area are hot and muggy, with an average temperature of eighty degrees from June through September. The winters are cold, with an average temperature of fifty-three degrees from November through February. The area sustains around one and a half inches of rain a year and a half an inch of snow.[8]

The destination has a wide variety of plant and animal life. Common animals within the territory are the pickerel frog, water snake, bobcat, river otter, bald eagle, and white-footed moose. Plantlife includes trees, shrubbery, vines, cherty slopes, upland forests, and varied soils.[10] The area also produces lots of fruit, lead, and zinc.

History

The mound builders were the first known group to dwell in the Jefferson City Region. Not long after, the Osage Native Americans took their place. In the 17the century, frontiersmen came to the area. Daniel Boon soon laid out Jefferson City, and German immigrants created vineyards in small towns by the Missouri River known as the Missouri Rhineland. For years the area functioned as a small trading post and stopping point for travelers going from Kansas City and St. Louis. The Missouri Territory was organized in 1812 and became the capital of the state in 1821. The city was named first after Lohman's Landing, and then the city council considered naming it Missouriopolis. They then decided on Jefferson to honor Thomas Jefferson.[1]

Ralph Street started looking into building a dam in 1912 and completed it in 1931. The dam led to the creation of the Lake of the Ozarks and created energy from the company Union electric for years. Now the lake is used primarily for tourism and has grown past its expected boundaries and size.[2]